Building on an excellent 2024/25 campaign will be the aim for Nottingham Forest when the new term kicks off in August.
The Reds might have missed out on Champions League qualification but they still made huge progress during the season just gone. Securing European football for the first time in three decades, courtesy of the Conference League, represents a terrific achievement.
The challenge now for head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is to use those foundations as a springboard and push on again. With that in mind, it is an important summer transfer window at the City Ground. Below, NottinghamshireLive takes a look at the work to be done in the coming weeks and months.
More firepower
Top of the agenda for Forest this summer is to strengthen Nuno’s options up front. The Portuguese needs more attacking resources at his disposal as he looks to compete on several fronts in 2025/26.
Chris Wood had a superb campaign and finished as the club’s top scorer with 20 goals. But it was a tough year for Taiwo Awoniyi, and there has been much debate over whether not signing a striker in January cost the Reds a top-five finish.
Forest appear to have moved quickly to put that right now the transfer window has reopened. They are said to be closing on a move for Botafogo forward Igor Jesus as part of a triple transfer raid which also includes left-back Cuiabano and central defender Jair Cunha.
But will that be enough? It remains to be seen what happens with Awoniyi and it may be that Jesus takes time to find his feet in the Premier League, so another front man would not go amiss.
Someone with plenty of experience would be a perfect fit, to provide cover and competition and to give Jesus the opportunity to adjust. Brentford’s Yoane Wissa would be the ideal candidate.
The Reds tried their luck for him in January and have been tipped to try their luck again this summer. Of course there are finances to consider but if Wissa could be added to the mix, in addition to Jesus, it would be quite the coup for Forest.
New contracts
Manchester City’s interest in Morgan Gibbs-White seems to have cooled. Reports have suggested the fee Forest would want for their star man is considered too expensive by Pep Guardiola’s side.
Keeping hold of Gibbs-White would be huge for the Reds; after all, there is no doubt how important he is and the impact he can have in the Garibaldi. But if he isn’t going anywhere, getting him tied to fresh terms is an absolute must.
The club need to protect their prized asset. The England international’s current deal is due to expire in 2027, and as that deadline draws nearer Gibbs-White’s value will only decrease.
There has been talk of a £70-100 million price tag being placed on his head this summer. As his contract runs down, though, Forest’s hand will weaken.
They hold all the cards at present, and they need to capitalise on that. Moreover, the 25-year-old fully deserves improved terms.
Getting Ola Aina’s long-term future sorted should also be a priority. Likewise, agreeing new deals for Neco Williams, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Nuno, who all have just 12 months remaining on their current contracts.
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Squad reshuffle
Outgoings as well as incomings are on the cards at the City Ground this summer. The dressing room does not need a major overhaul but some changes are required.
The ideal scenario for the Reds is to have the equivalent of two strong XIs in place to ensure they can be competitive on several fronts. Nuno also needs to have a well-stocked bench in place, with players capable of coming on and changing games.
Forest got through a lot of work last summer in shifting a fair bit of dead wood, but they still have several players who could do with being moved on. The likes of Emmanuel Dennis, Lewis O’Brien and Josh Bowler are unlikely to have futures Trentside and exits would be best for all parties.
For others, their futures are not necessarily clear cut and it could be Nuno wants to take a look at them in pre-season. Left-back Omar Richards being one such example, but also Tyler Bindon, Marko Stamenic and David Carmo. All have been out on loan and calls will need to be made over what happens next.
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